31 October 2018

DANZER USA, BRINGING THE VALUABLE HARDWOOD RESOURCE TO ITS BEST USE

Most people like wood and the authenticity and natural beauty of wooden products. Many steps are necessary before a piece of hardwood furniture can be brought in corporate offices or people’s homes. If you want to learn more about the production steps that result in a primary hardwood product like a strong board of Ash lumber or a beautiful sheet of Walnut veneer: Read on.

MOTHER NATURE TAKES CARE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PART The first 80 years of production take place in the forest, without any help from mankind. Mother Nature has developed a perfect design that makes wood the material of choice for many decorative and structural applications. Good forest management provides the right environment for trees to thrive naturally. CAREFUL SELECTION OF LOGS Only a few trees have the properties needed for decorative purposes. That’s why Danzer’s business is highly selective by nature. Only a very small portion of a timber harvest (1-5%) can be made into veneer and only slightly more into lumber. Some of the most important decisions determining the final product quality are made by our experienced procurement team, already when selecting the right logs in the forest. DECIDE BEST USE Once the wood has arrived at the mill, hardwood producers have to decide the best use for every piece of timber. In order to maximize the value from the resource, Danzer experts classify each log with great care; and with their deep knowledge, they also make sure that each log is cut the best way. PREPARE FOR CUTTING Prior to making the first cut, hardwood logs are being debarked and – if prepared for slicing - cooked. Workers’ experience and high-quality machinery ensure minimal waste in the debarking process. Cooking the logs makes them softer for easier slicing; cooking times and temperatures are a trade secret kept by all hardwood producers, as it not only eases the production process, but also influences the appearance of the final product. THE PRIMARY CUTCutting hardwood lumber or veneer aims at maximizing the value from each log. Cutting technologies are slicing, peeling or sawing. The quality of the machinery in operation and the expertise of the people working at a mill will heavily influence the value of the turn-out. To ensure a high-quality product and the optimal use of the hardwood resource, Danzer’s experienced and well-trained production teams use the latest technology, including log scanner, curve saw, and our proprietary best-in-class Danzer VS4000 veneer slicers.